You Don't Need the Sun to Get a Tan

Don't skimp on your sunscreen routine just because you want a summer glow. Get your tan the more responsible way, by using products that will deliver a sun-kissed look from the comfort of your home, risk-free.

It's Friday! That means you're about to enjoy the fifth installment of The Sweet Guide to Sun Care, 2016. Today, learn about the merits of a good bronzer, then stick around this weekend to read more about how to take care of the skin you're in.

Let's get one thing out of the way: using self-tanner is not a bad thing. But there's a line between having a soft glow and looking like you spilled a can of orange paint on yourself. Stay on the right side of it with the best products, and, please, use them sparingly and skillfully!

Self-tanners are the healthiest alternative to harmful UVB and UVA rays. When applied evenly, they can impart a glow for at least a couple of days. Whether you use one on a weekly basis, or need a last-minute touch up, you can appear as if you've been frolicking on a Bermuda beach in the time it takes to get through one episode of Kimmy Schmidt.

Below, discover eight products that will have you bronzed in no time—no major risk-taking required.

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The Last-Minute Hero

The first party of summer is quickly approaching and you need a little glow—fast. Rub a pea-sized amount of this cream onto your face (blend the product in circular motions) and you will look radiant until you decide to wash it off that night.

The Overnighter

This mask works its magic while you sleep so you can wake up to a freshly tinted face. The formula also functions as a hydrating mask, using the powers of aloe vera and hyaluronic acid to moisturize skin all night long.

The Traditional

Apply this tanner with an old-fashioned mitt—it's included with purchase, but if you need a replacement, find one with soft material as opposed to a rougher exfoliating mitt, which can cause streaking. Instead, prep skin by exfoliating before application, as bronzing products blend in better to a smooth surface.

The Vegetarian

Keeping with The Organic Pharmacy's lineup of natural products, the brand's self-tanner gets its seamless color from the sugar beet plant, a root vegetable that's mostly used for sugar production. It's a surefire way to get a sweet tan.

The Luxurious Perfector

Finally, a more feasible way to wear head-to-toe Dior! This formula has what the brand calls the "bronze-perfect pH complex," which helps to maintain, and even darken, your faux tan over the course of a few days. For added coverage, make a habit of applying the tanner at least twice a week.